markhansen@ucla.edu

Dr. Mark Hansen is an Assistant Professor in Residence at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and Faculty Director at UCLA CalKIDS Institute. His research expertise includes advanced quantitative methods, educational assessment, and psychometrics. Dr. Hansen holds a PhD from UCLA, an MPH from Boston University, and has extensively published in journals focusing on methodology in education and public health. He actively mentors graduate students and serves on editorial boards.

nahabedian@seis.ucla.edu

Nayiri Nahabedian, an early champion of the CalKIDS policy, serves as the Executive Director of the UCLA CalKIDS Institute, where she continues to advance financial empowerment and possibilities for families and children. Nayiri’s immigrant story fuels her passion for education, equity, and opportunity. She made history as the first Armenian woman elected to the Glendale Unified School District Board, serving for 17 years, including as Board president. She dedicated 22 years as a faculty member at Cal State LA, School of Social Work, preparing and mentoring a generation of changemakers. Nayiri embraces adventure; she enjoys scuba diving and hiked Mount Whitney in 21 hours.

mejia@seis.ucla.edu

Jimmy Mejia is currently the Administrative and Program Support for the CalKIDS Institute. He graduated from San Diego State with a double major in Environmental Sciences and Geography. Prior to working at the Institute, he worked in both public and non-public schools as an Aide and Substitute Teacher with a focus in mathematics instruction to students who face emotional disturbances, at risk, and encounter developmental disabilities. In his leisure time, Jimmy enjoys watching sports and trying out new restaurants.

fzempleni@g.ucla.edu

Flora Zempleni is a PhD Candidate in UCLA’s Department of Education. Her work broadly focuses on language, immigration, and qualitative research methods. She has been a Graduate Student Researcher working with the UCLA CalKIDS Institute’s research team for over a year. She holds an MA in Learning and Communication in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts from the University of Luxembourg. In her free time, Flora enjoys hiking, reading, and playing and watching soccer.

trichardson@seis.ucla.edu

Tawni Richardson is currently the Outreach Specialist for the UCLA CalKIDS Institute. She holds a BA in Human Development from California State University Long Beach. Before joining the Institute, she assisted in creating financial literacy and CalKIDS training materials for educational development. Tawni’s favorite activities are going to the beach, traveling, and baking.

icampa@g.ucla.edu

Isabella Campa is currently a Graduate Student Worker for the CalKIDS Institute, where she has been apart of the research team. She is currently a Community Health Sciences M.S. candidate at UCLA. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UC San Diego. She aims to become a researcher in maternal and child health and quality of care. In her leisure time, Isabella enjoys traveling and going on walks.